Help us pick a long-lasting patio table
June 19, 2022 10:40 AM Subscribe
We would like to get a patio table-ideally seats up to 8, no chairs needed. Criteria: low maintenance, doesn’t rust the first season, reasonable price. We have looked at and loved Fermob; the table linked there comes in lovely colors, we like that it can fold, and they seem to last forever as many local restaurants use them for outside dining. They aren’t cheap. Anyone able to either confirm they are worth the price, or have something similar to recommend?
My experience is that you get what you pay for with outdoor furniture. It may exist, but I have never found cheap stuff that actually holds up. I agree with mcbeth that Polywood is a good choice if they have the pieces you want. I've had Polywood items sitting out in the elements for close to 10 years and they still look perfect to me.
The other brand I've had good luck with is Tropitone. Again, not cheap, but at least their aluminum pieces last for a long time and continue to look great.
With both Tropitone and Polywood I do basically no maintenance — just wipe them down if they get dirty.
I'm not familiar with Fermob.
posted by primethyme at 2:15 PM on June 19, 2022
The other brand I've had good luck with is Tropitone. Again, not cheap, but at least their aluminum pieces last for a long time and continue to look great.
With both Tropitone and Polywood I do basically no maintenance — just wipe them down if they get dirty.
I'm not familiar with Fermob.
posted by primethyme at 2:15 PM on June 19, 2022
You might also look into Loll - https://lolldesigns.com/collections/dining-tables
Fermob has a good reputation and the pieces I've seen in person have all been holding up nicely. They seem to be popular with municipalities for park furniture and such so I think that's a vote of confidence.
posted by jellywerker at 3:05 PM on June 19, 2022
Fermob has a good reputation and the pieces I've seen in person have all been holding up nicely. They seem to be popular with municipalities for park furniture and such so I think that's a vote of confidence.
posted by jellywerker at 3:05 PM on June 19, 2022
As a counterpoint, I have a painted metal folding table and chair set that I got from Target several years ago that is still in excellent shape with no rust or damage whatsoever, despite being left outside during all seasons. It was less than $200. It's not as comfortable as some of these more expensive designs look, but I'm not convinced that you have to buy something that costs thousands of dollars for it to last.
I guess I don't move it and bang it around much, but it's pretty sturdy.
posted by Kutsuwamushi at 3:16 PM on June 19, 2022 [2 favorites]
I guess I don't move it and bang it around much, but it's pretty sturdy.
posted by Kutsuwamushi at 3:16 PM on June 19, 2022 [2 favorites]
Wow, that is an eyewatering price for that Fermob table! Is the top aluminum too? If so, make sure you can stand the noise every time you set a glass down on it. I ordered a similar table and returned it because I couldn't.
My criteria were the same as yours and I couldn't find anything I liked. In the end, my partner took a the metal legs from a folding table, painted them a pretty color, then gave them a new wood top finished with multiple coats of marine polyurethane. It is surprisingly lightweight, folds, seats eight, and honestly is so much prettier than I thought it would be when he pitched the concept. It's beautiful. The depth of the finish is what makes it so nice. Total cost was about $200. Don't know if you're up for DIY but if so this was a pretty easy project.
posted by HotToddy at 6:46 PM on June 19, 2022
My criteria were the same as yours and I couldn't find anything I liked. In the end, my partner took a the metal legs from a folding table, painted them a pretty color, then gave them a new wood top finished with multiple coats of marine polyurethane. It is surprisingly lightweight, folds, seats eight, and honestly is so much prettier than I thought it would be when he pitched the concept. It's beautiful. The depth of the finish is what makes it so nice. Total cost was about $200. Don't know if you're up for DIY but if so this was a pretty easy project.
posted by HotToddy at 6:46 PM on June 19, 2022
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posted by mcbeth at 11:52 AM on June 19, 2022 [2 favorites]